[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65107-65108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27439]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170817779-8161-02]
RIN 0648-XG467


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using 
Hook-and-Line or Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length

[[Page 65108]]

overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to 
prevent exceeding the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated 
to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line 
or pot gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 15, 
2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with 
the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or 
pot gear in the BSAI is 8,748 metric tons (mt) as established by the 
final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI 
(83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018), and reallocations (83 FR 2932, January 
22, 2018, 83 FR 42227, August 21, 2018, and 83 FR 56740, November 14, 
2018).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 
2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a directed fishing allowance to 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or 
pot gear in the BSAI will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI. 
While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at Sec.  
679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set 
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear 
in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for 
public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became 
available as of December 13, 2018.
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is 
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: December 14, 2018.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-27439 Filed 12-14-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P